I've got loads of questions/queries/problems!

southernscouser

I made this the other night. Was pukka.

I didn't have a lid big enough to cover the frying pan so I got another frying pan, turned it upside down, and put that on top. Clever eh?

southernscouser

Anyone got any suggestions of other veg I can roast?

At the moment I do;

New potato
Sweet potato
Carrots
Parsnip

What else can I whack in there? :think:

Keeping_Motivated

Onions red or white
Peppers

southernscouser

Keeping_Motivated wrote: »

Onions red or white
Peppers

Ooh peppers. Never though of them, thanks. :T

Not a big fan of onions. :undecided :rotfl:

marri_lou

southernscouser wrote: »

Firstly, I'm sorry. Don't be, no need!



I cook all my meals, no ready meals or anything, but I need to start cooking cheaper, and stop throwing away so much. As an example, I had to throw away a whole unopened packet of wraps which could of gone in the freezer but didn't. Half packets of bacon that don't get used. Mouldy veg. Potatoes going off. I need to get more organized/organised! Yup! If its starting to look a bit ropey, chop it, add stock and make soup.

I've tried meal planning but to very little/no success. For whatever reason I don't stick to it, or when I do I end up buying stuff that I don't need, or do need, but half of it goes off and has to be chucked!

It also doesn't work very well because I can't/won't/don't cook many things. However I'm now armed with Jamie Olivers Ministry of Food to widen my variety (I even bought fish today ).

I also need to make things cheaper. For example, I probably eat spag bol 3 times a week. For 5 portions it costs me about £11.50. Mince - £3.75, Spaghetti - £0.50, Mushrooms - £0.88, Dolmio x 2 - £5, Other bits/herbs - £0.10, Garlic bread - £1.25.

My MIL taught me how to make a very simple pasta sauce. Olive oil (veggie oil if stuck) fry an onion chopped, and veg looking like on way out, garlic add in tomatoes and simmer. Bolgnese sauce I just chop and fry an onion, add, garlic, some italian herbs (dried) throw in a tin of tomatoes, a teaspoon of sugar and simmer.

Admittedly some of my bill will go on fizzy drinks but other than that I don't really eat a lot of junk. I might spend £6-8 on fruit per week which I don't mind doing as it's good quality, healthy, and yummy. Me and hub were spending a lot on fizzy drinks, I've now switched to dilutant juice and this is working out much better, we can have it cold, hot or add sparkling water to it. You really do get more bang for your buck

Maybe it's not working because I'm just being lazy and not putting the preparation in. I don't really know. :undecided

Can anyone help me? :A


I've also got some quick questions if anyone can answer them?

I like cooking stuffed chicken (chicken, pesto, sun dried tomatoes, mozza, wrapped in bacon). Can I make a few at a time and freeze these? If so do I cook them first? - cooked and then rehated chicken breast can get a bit dry, so I would make and throw them in the freezer as they are and cook as needed

This is gonna sound really dumb but how do you know when your pan is 'simmering'? Small bubbles, gently popping/coming to the surface and not splattering all over the pace

I like green beans. But I don't particularly like frozen green beans which I buy for convenience and cost (I assume they are cheaper frozen). Is there anything I can do to make them nicer? I stir fry mines from frozen with garlic and chilli and srve with boiled rice. Lovely cheap dinner.

And am I the only who finds non-stick pans don't work? :rotfl: I did until i bought a really good heavy one. Its a Judge and I spent £15 on it, but worth every penny. Had it for 2 years and its still going strong. Same with a heavy wok. I'm finidng that economy pans are a false economy

If you've got this far then I owe you a drink and another apology. Thanks for reading.

Good luck!

Keeping_Motivated

southernscouser wrote: »

Ooh peppers. Never though of them, thanks. :T

Not a big fan of onions. :undecided :rotfl:

Have you tried them roasted? They taste completely different honest, very sweet, try them and see.

marri_lou

southernscouser wrote: »

Anyone got any suggestions of other veg I can roast?

At the moment I do;

New potato
Sweet potato
Carrots
Parsnip

What else can I whack in there? :think:

Courgette
Pumpkin/butter nut squash
aubergine
tomatoes (whole ones/cherry ones)
cauliflower.

southernscouser

Keeping_Motivated wrote: »

Have you tried them roasted? They taste completely different honest, very sweet, try them and see.

I did to be fair and they were ok. I think it's just the look of it, knowing what it is. :rotfl:

canidothis

Im a bit girlie about normal veg, but give it to me roasted any day,
butternut squash
brocolli (have never been able to spell that word correctly!!)
parsnip
mushrooms

all yummy:rotfl: :rotfl:

southernscouser

canidothis wrote: »

Im a bit girlie about normal veg, but give it to me roasted any day,
butternut squash
brocolli (have never been able to spell that word correctly!!)
parsnip
mushrooms

all yummy:rotfl: :rotfl:

You can roast brocolli? :undecided